PROTECTIVE APPAREL MADE OF Tyvek® FOR USE IN NUCLEAR
ENVIRONMENTS
The following
studies were conducted by the Southwest Research Institute
to rate garment materials commonly used in potentially
radioactive environments. The material permeability was
evaluated as to radioactive contamination in water borne
contamination, tritiated water vapor and in the presence
of dry particulate material.
Waterborne
Contamination.
Chart 1
The study on
waterborne contamination evaluated several types of Tyvek®
proprietary nonwoven, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and cotton
fabric, both new and used. The cotton materials allowed
considerable contamination to penetrate the fabric and
hold more particulate contamination within the fabric than
other samples. This, according to the report, "raised
the surface (skin) dose rate significantly." All other
fabrics performed well in preventing permeation through
the material.
Dry
Particulate Contamination.
Chart 2
Various
anticontamination materials were evaluated in the dry
particulate study. These included several samples of
Tyvek®, a nonwoven cellulosic fabric, along with Iaundered
woven cotton, newly woven cotton, and a nonwoven cel
ulosic
fabric. The Tyvek® allowed no radioactive particulate to
penetrate, the cotton fabrics permitted a small amount of
particulate penetration and the cellulosic sample passed
five to six times more contamination than the cotton
samples tested.
Tritiated
Water Vapor.
Chart 3
The study of
the fabrics' ability to prevent tritiated water vapor and
tritium gas penetration showed that Tychem® QC was 7.8
times better than PVC after three hours exposure and
Tychem® SL was 150 times better than PVC.
When it is
desired to avoid virtually all penetration of tritium,
data suggests that the wearer may work three hours in
Tychem® SL, as opposed to only a half hour in the other
fabrics.
We believe
this information is the best currently available. It is
subject to revision as additional knowledge and experience
are gained. DuPont makes no guarantee of results and
assumes no obligation or liability in connection with this
information. It is the user's responsibility to determine
the level of toxicity and the proper personal protective
equipment needed. The information set forth herein
reflects laboratory performance of fabrics, not complete
garments, under controlled conditions. It is intended for
informational use by persons having the technical skill
for evaluation under their specific end-use conditions at
their own discretion and risk. Anyone intending to use
this information should first verify that the garment
selected is suitable for the intended use. Since
conditions of use are outside our control, we make no
warranties, express or implied, and assume no liability in
connection with any use of this information. This
information is not intended as a license to operate under
or a recommendation to infringe any patent or technical
information of DuPont or others covering any material or
its use.
WARNINGS:
(1) Garments
of Tyvek®, Tychem® QC and Tychem® SL are not flame
resistant and should not be used around heat, flame,
sparks, or in potentially flammable or explosive
environments.
(2) Garments
of Tyvek®, Tychem® QC and Tychem® SL should have slip
resistant or antislip materials on the outer surface of
boots, shoecovers, or other garment surfaces where
slippage may occur.
